How to Find the Best Barber Training Program Near Ames Iowa
Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Ames IA, the task starts to find and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Ames home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the best option. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
Barbershops have always been a place for men to get their hair cut, socialize, and gab about everything from sports to stock tips. Although today some women visit barbershops and some men visit stylists and salons, the barbershop and its iconic red, white, and blue striped pole is still a cornerstone of male culture. If you’ve got an eye for style, a creative flair, and an appreciation for America’s unique barbershop culture, a career as a barber could be your calling. As a barber, you’ll cut, style, shape, and treat men’s hair, and sometimes women’s and children’s hair, too. You’ll give shaves and trim facial hair and sometimes perform neck and scalp massages. Like all specialists in the field of cosmetology, you’ll make a ritual out of maintaining your tools, station, and clients to the highest standards of hygiene and sanitization.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Ames IA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Ames IA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Ames IA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the Iowa school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Ames IA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Ames IA barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Ames IA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option until you learn what financial aid may be available in Ames IA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Ames
Enroll in the Right Ames Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the right barber school is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Ames Iowa.